Our Team

Brian Barnhardt, CPA, Partner

Brian is a Certified Public Accountant and General Securities Representative. He has over 20 years of experience in public accounting and has been with our firm for all of those years. His responsibilities include small business accounting and analysis, individual, estates, trust and business tax planning and preparation, and financial services. Brian holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Dennis Hildebrandt, CPA, Partner

Dennis is one of the two audit partners specializing in auditing and consulting. He principally serves governmental, telecommunications and non-profit clients. He joined Siepert & Co., LLP in 1984 and became a partner in 1994. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Dennis is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Wisconsin Institute of CPA's and the Illinois CPA Society. He holds the AICPA Certificate of Educational Achievement in Governmental Accounting and Auditing and has been the past chairman of the WICPA Public Utility Committee. Dennis is treasurer of the South Beloit Lions Club and a volunteer for Beloit Meals on Wheels.

Mark Kerman, CPA, Partner

Mark joined Siepert & Co., LLP in 2004. He specializes in income tax preparation and consulting for individuals and businesses, and he brings a unique insider's perspective to his analysis of financial data stemming from eleven years of practice in the private sector. Having worked as a controller, he understands the challenges that businesses face with internal processing and financial literacy. With this knowledge, he works with his clients on the key components of financial results that are critical to their overall success. Mark received his Bachelor of Arts in Accountancy with High Honors in December 1995 and became a Certified Public Accountant in August 1997. He is the current Treasurer for the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau and an ex-officio Board Member of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. His past community involvement includes DeKalb Leadership Academy Advisory Committee (Chair), DeKalb County KEYS Initiative (Chair), ReNew Our Schools (Finance Committee Chair), Bridges of River Mist Homeowners Association (Treasurer), and Huskies on Parade (Treasurer). Mark's honors include Outstanding Leader, June 2006, DeKalb Leadership Academy; Certificate of Achievement, October 2006, DeKalb County Partnership for a Safe, Active and Family Environment; and Certificate of Appreciation, February 2008, DeKalb School District 428.

Gary Meier, CPA, Partner

Gary is a Certified Public Accountant and the Managing Partner of the Firm. He has been with the firm since 1977. His responsibilities include auditing, small business accounting and advisory, individual, business and nonprofit organization tax preparation. Gary holds a bachelor of Business Administration degree, with a major in accounting, from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and is a licensed CPA in Wisconsin and Illinois. Gary's community involvement includes working and volunteering with Stateline United Way, Girl Scouts, Stateline Boys and Girls Clubs, Kiwanis Club, Beloit 2020 and the Beloit Snappers.

Kathy Bohm

Kathy Bohm is an Accountant in our Beloit, Wisconsin office. Kathy began her career in the accounting field in 1978, and she attended Blackhawk Technical College. She joined Siepert & Co., LLP in 2002 and in her present position she is part of our Tax and Compilation team. This position includes payroll, monthly bookkeeping and tax return preparation. Kathy has given time to various community groups including The North East Business Association, The Town of Beloit Festival on the Rock Committee, The Beloit Snappers, Beloit Special Olympics and Meals on Wheels.

Micheala Dodson

Micheala Dodson started working at Siepert's in 2008 to pursue a career in accounting. She has her Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from UW-Rock County. She is continuing her education at UW-Whitewater School of Business to become a CPA.

Gerri Downing

Gerri started at Siepert & Co., LLP in March 2007 in the Beloit office in the tax and compilation department before joining the audit team. As a Staff Auditor, Gerri works on audits and reviews of governmental entities, non-profits, and telephone companies. Additionally, she prepares tax returns for non-profits and assists clients with QuickBooks accounting software. Gerri is currently working on obtaining a designation as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA). Gerri has over twenty years experience in the accounting profession, mainly in the construction and manufacturing industries. She was the Controller for a concrete pipe manufacturing company and more recently served as the Accounting Manager for an international battery management company with over $50 million annual revenues. Gerri also owned her own tax preparation business, together with her husband, before joining the Siepert team. Gerri has a B.A. in Accounting from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society. Gerri's business and civic activities include Rockton Lions Club member, Advisory Council of Stateline Career & Technical Education Academic, and Past President of Beloit Property Managers Association.

DeAnne Gile

DeAnne Gile is our Office Manager and has been with our firm since 2002. She's a life-long Beloiter, graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1981 and earned an Associate's Degree from Blackhawk Technical College in 1983. DeAnne's responsibilities include billing, payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. She volunteers at her church and also with Hands of Faith homeless shelter program and the Beloit Zonta Club.

Judy Hornung

Judy Hornung is a Director of First Impressions with Siepert & Co., LLP and has been with the company since January, 1984. Her job includes handling clients both in person and on the telephone, as well as other administrative assistant duties. Her experience and business classes at Rock Valley College and Blackhawk Tech assist her in these duties. She is the past president and secretary of Prairie Hill School PTA and past secretary and board member of Hononegah Youth Soccer Association. She is also a volunteer as well as the firm's volunteer coordinator for Beloit Meals on Wheels.

Brianne Klein

Brianne Klein, Accountant, started working with Siepert and Co., LLP in January 2006. She recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2009 with her Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Accounting. Brianne is on the Tax and Compilation team at Siepert and Co., LLP. Her primary responsibilities include: tax return preparation, financial statement preparation, and payroll processing. Brianne is a volunteer with Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful.

Michael Phalin

Michael Phalin joined the Siepert Audit Team in 2011. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2010 and a Master of Professional Accountancy in 2011 from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. He is currently pursuing his CPA license.

Melissa Vander Kooi

Melissa Vander Kooi is a Director of First Impressions at Siepert & Co., LLP. She started with Siepert's in 2007. In her position, she is responsible for assisting clients over the telephone and in the office. Melissa is also responsible for additional administrative assistant duties. Melissa obtained her Associates Degree in the Legal Secretary program from Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, Wisconsin in 2001. Melissa received her Bachelor of Science degree as an accounting major from Upper Iowa University in 2011.

Joanna Waxler

Joanna Waxler is an Accountant at Siepert & Co. She started with the company in 2004. She provides tax and compilation services. She obtained her Bachelor of the Arts degree from Beloit College in December 2000. She received her Masters of Science – Management with a concentration in accounting in December 2002 and a Masters of Science – Management with a concentration in taxation in December 2004 from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Joanna received her certification in state and local taxes in May 2004. She became a certified public accountant in July 2006.

Kelly Wedel

Kelly Wedel started at Siepert and Co. in May, 2011 as a Staff Accountant, and works on audits of governmental entities, non-profits, and telephone companies. She received an Associate's degree in Arts from Rock Valley College and is a recent graduate from UW-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Accounting. She is continuing her education at UW-Whitewater School of Business to become a CPA.

Lauren Manfrin

Lauren Manfrin works as an Accountant in our Sycamore office. A Sycamore High School alum, she joined the Siepert & Co, LLP team in 2011 after earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Accountancy from Lewis University. Lauren's responsibilities include financial statement preparation, sales, payroll and income tax preparation as well as payroll processing.

Robert Keeler

Bob is a Certified Public Accountant and has been with the firm since 1971. Bob was a partner in the firm from 1978 through 2008, and now is employed by the firm on a part-time basis. Bob graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as an Accounting major, and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Bob continues to assist the firm's clients during the tax season.

Barb King

Barb King is the Director of First Impressions for the Sycamore office. Joining the team in 2009, she assists clients, both in person and on the phone, and handles a wide range of bookkeeping and office duties. She is a very active member of the community, including serving on the Sycamore District 427 Board of Education, helping to lead the DeKalb County Transition Planning Committee and organizing and participating in a number of organizations dedicated to bettering the lives of individuals with special needs. A graduate of Marquette University, with a major in psychology and a minor in business, she graduated from the DeKalb Leadership Academy in 2010.

Bonnie Konwinski

Bonnie received her accounting degree from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. She began her career with NICOR Inc. compiling financial statements for NICOR subsidiaries and eventually moved to NICOR Gas where she was the accountant in charge of budgeting and processing for the southern division. Bonnie joined the firm in 2009 and works in the areas of compilation, income and sales tax return preparation, and payroll. She became a Quickbooks ProAdvisor in July 2011.

Bonnie has been involved in her community by offering her services as treasurer of several organizations including Sycamore Sports Boosters and the Legacy capital fundraising campaign for St. Mary Church in Sycamore. She is a graduate of the 2010-11 DeKalb Leadership Academy.

Lena Billington

Lena is the Director of First Impressions at our Roscoe office. She has been with the firm since December 2011. Her job duties include working with clients in person and by phone, along with many other administrative duties. Lena is very involved in her community working with local youth sports programs. She is currently a member of the board, as Secretary, for the Clinton Summer Baseball Organization, Clinton Booster Club, and volunteers for many other community events. She obtained her Associates of Arts in Human Services Management in January 2011 through the University of Phoenix.

Kristine Byl

Kristine Byl is an Accountant in the Roscoe office. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Rockford College in 1999 and began working for our firm. Kristine's responsibilities include tax preparation, compilation and payroll processing, assistance with business start-up state and federal regulatory filings, and general bookkeeping. Kristine is also a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and specializes in QuickBooks support.

Cindy Schulz

Cindy Schulz started in the Roscoe office in May 2011. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from North Dakota State University in 1993 and her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Kaplan University in 2010. She successfully completed the CPA exam in November 2010.

Cindy is involved in several community organizations including Rockford Network of Professional Women, Stateline Women in Business and the Roscoe Chamber of Commerce. She serves as the Treasurer of the Rockton Chamber of Commerce, is also a member of the Illinois CPA Society and the American Institute of CPA’s.